+100, this is an awesome topic. I’m taking notes, whatever comes out of it, I’ll translate into software features. As of now , default equipment state on startup is something I’m thinking of.
I like the idea of a default state, would be nice for that to work for dosers also. Basically equipment or dosers I would always want to default to off on a reboot etc...making me nervous now knowing how it works not sure what I can do to minimize the risk, UPS is only good for a period of time unless I tie it in somehow and do a shutdown of reefpi but then I would also have to have it cut the power to the outlet. I didnt want to go down the route with adding Kalk to my ATO and was using a dosing pump to control it, more defined but the power outage concerns me, it only runs for 14sec per hour but it would be my luck that it happens in that window, lol.
Default state would be ideal in a lot of these scenarios i would think. Fail/Open, Fail/Closed, etc. If I remember correctly that is how APEX did it in the old system, and I assume still do it in the current models.
Just tested the doser again by pulling the power, my doser power is also the same power that feeds my PI and is connected to an always on outlet on the DJ strip. I pulled the power while it was dosing, left it off for a couple of minutes and restored power. Doser module did not come back online and dose, lights came back online etc. I will also test this with my frag tank which is using timers and see it exhibits a different behavior. I can see where the timer would come back on a stay on though since the off timer has passed. My initial thought is to set an off timer that runs every minute and is essentially always turning the outlet off outside of the one window(s) that I want to run, ugly but I cannot think of another option right now.
I feed my doser module from the same 12v supply that I feed my pi with, it actually is split and I feed multiple things requiring power, pi, doser and the outlet relays. I use a @Michael Lane hat so it requires power for the relays and the pi and then I have the dosing module, all power comes from the same source. I am using the always on outlet for the 12v source.
I was able to get an ato to trigger a macro today.
There may be some others that have a better answer but if the floats are in series then no way I know how to do it, typically the 2 float setup is for a backup cut off in case the first float gets stuck in the on position, basically either float will turn off the water.
First I ask why not the simple solution. Remove the low sensor. Just use the high sensor as a normal ato. This will keep for reservoir always full.
A less sophisticated method would be to use timers to turn on and off an ato watching the high sensor. You could have it turn on every other day to fill the container or at whatever frequency makes sense.
www.bulkreefsupply.com
I use a RO/DI Flood Guardian with an HS300 smart plug to fill my 30 Gallon ATO trash can in the basement. When the flood guardian powers up it starts filling from my RO/DI system until the water level reaches it's sensor and then it shuts off the water supply and goes into standby mode. Pretty cool gizmo although not inexpensive. I created a timer on mi RPI to switch it off and and back on after 4 seconds it then starts filling the can again. The timer is set for Friday's at 9am and it just fills the trash can. The Flood Guardian uses an electronic valve which is in a normally closed state so if the power goes out it will not flood the basement.
RO/DI Flood Guardian
Stop Floods and Wasting Water with the Only Electronic Auto Shut Off Valve Kit for RO/DI Systems XP Aqua RO/DI Flood Guardian is the perfect solution for any reefer that wants a float valve that they do not need to drill or permanently mount to a reservoir. The Flood Guardian uses a dual optical...
I tried to use an ato to trigger a macro and that macro to trigger a different ato. I got a bad result. Reef pi seemed to go into a a bad loop and response time become very bad. I ended up having to pull power to reboot.
Exactly, and that's why I use the timer to automate refilling the trash can once a week. In my case 30 Gallons is more than enough ATO for a week.
For ATO, I run a simple float valve, backed up up by an inline electric solenoid valve driven off a timer. Stays open long enough to top off the water, and fails closed during power outage. Two means of shutoff, but the float has always shut the water off before the valve ever had to kick in. Simple and effective... A little each day keeps the salt creep away...
